Tennis Anyone? Greenburgh Kids Take to the Courts

Greenburgh’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Theodore D. Young Community Center are offering a free children’s tennis clinic in the hopes of spreading the sport to a wider audience.

"Tennis is now probably one of the cheapest sports you can play. All you need is a tennis racket and a ball and you can go out onto public courts, which are very inexpensive,” said Greenburgh tennis director Janet Lefkowitz. “Most sports have become outrageously expensive to play. Tennis used to be a very elitist sport, but that's no longer the case."

The tennis clinic was created in 2009 to give children an opportunity to learn a new sport. On Saturday children between the ages of 4 through 16 are encouraged to join in the fun.

The children will be playing Quick Start tennis, a modified program created by the United States Tennis Association using shorter courts, lighter rackets and different balls for easier and immediate play.

"In the first two years of this program, the kids have really enjoyed themselves. I think they had a prejudice against the sport,” Lefkowitz said. “They thought it was wimpy and not as fun as basketball. But the reality is that when they come to the clinic they have a very nice time. We're happy to provide an opportunity for them to participate in this."

Water and fresh fruit will be provided for the athletes as a way to promote the relationship between sports and healthy eating. Every child will walk away a winner, earning prizes of wristbands and key chains. The first 100 to register will receive a free t-shirt.

The clinic will be held Saturday at Anthony F. Veteran Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

Do you play tennis? Let us know where, and if you need a partner for singles or doubles.

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